Power and Ground Distribution: Description and Operation

POWER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
DESCRIPTION
This information covers the various standard and optional power distribution components used on this model.

The power distribution system for this vehicle is designed to provide safe, reliable, and centralized distribution of the electrical current required to operate all of the many standard and optional factory-installed electrical and electronic powertrain, chassis, safety, comfort and convenience systems. At the same time, these systems were designed to provide convenient to access centralized locations for conducting diagnosis of faulty circuits, and for sourcing the additional current requirements of many aftermarket vehicle accessory and convenience items.

These power distribution systems also incorporate various types of circuit control and protection features, including:
- Blade-type fuses
- Cartridge fuses
- Automatic resetting circuit breakers
- Relays
- Flashers
- Circuit splice blocks.

The power distribution system for this vehicle consists of the following components:
- Power Distribution Center (PDC)
- Junction Block (JB)

See the owner's manual in the vehicle glove box for more information on the features, use and operation of all of the power distribution system components.

POWER DISTRIBUTION CENTER
DESCRIPTION

Power Distribution Center:

All of the electrical current distributed throughout this vehicle is directed through the standard equipment Power Distribution Center (PDC). The molded plastic PDC housing is located in the left front corner of the engine compartment, just behind the battery. The PDC housing has a molded plastic cover that includes two integral latches, one on each side. The PDC cover is easily removed for service access and has a convenient fuse and relay layout map integral to the inside surface of the cover to ensure proper component identification.

The PDC housing is secured in the engine compartment at three points. Integral mounts on the front and inboard end of the PDC housing engage and latch to stanchions that are integral to the molded plastic battery tray. An integral bracket on the rear of the PDC housing is secured with a screw to the top of the left front inner wheel house. The PDC cover is unlatched and removed to access the battery/ generator cable input and output connection studs. The PDC is integral to the headlamp and dash wire harness, which exits from the outboard end of the PDC housing.

All of the current from the battery/generator cable connections enters the PDC through a 140 ampere generator cartridge fuse that is secured with screws just inside the inboard end of the PDC housing. The PDC houses up to ten maxi-type cartridge fuses, which replace all in-line fusible links. The PDC also houses up to seven blade-type mini fuses, up to thirteen International Standards Organization (ISO) relays (one standard-type and twelve micro-type), two joint connectors (one sixteen-way and one twenty-six-way) and a sixteen-way engine wire harness in-line connector. Internal connection of all of the PDC circuits is accomplished by an intricate combination of hard wiring and bus bars.

The cartridge fuses, blade-type fuses and relays are available for service replacement. The PDC unit cannot be repaired and is only serviced as a unit with the headlamp and dash wire harness. If the internal circuits or the PDC housing are faulty or damaged, the headlamp and dash wire harness unit must be replaced.